How do I merge consecutive edits so they undo in a single step?
:undojoin<CR>
By default, separate edits often become separate undo entries, which makes replaying or backing out a multi-part change noisy.
Search: :split
254 results for ":split"
How do I paste the name of the alternate (previously edited) file into the buffer?
"#p
The # register holds the name of the alternate file — the file you were editing just before the current one.
How do I make jumps reuse open windows first and fall back to a new tab when needed?
:set switchbuf=useopen,usetab,newtab
When jump commands open files (:tag, quickfix navigation, location list jumps), Vim may split your layout in ways that break flow.
How do I put all visible windows into diff mode and balance their sizes in Vim?
:windo diffthis | wincmd =<CR>
When you already have multiple related buffers open, you can enter diff mode across all visible windows in one shot and then normalize layout width/height immed
How do I run a shell command from Vimscript and capture its output as a list of individual lines?
systemlist()
systemlist({cmd}) runs a shell command and returns the output as a list of strings, one per line — unlike system() which returns everything as a single string
How do I search only files in the argument list and inspect results in a location list?
:lvimgrep /{pattern}/j ## | lopen
When you need to run focused searches across a curated set of files, the argument list is a strong scope boundary.
How do I keep an argument list change local to the current window?
:arglocal
By default, Vim's argument list is global, so changing it in one window can unexpectedly affect another workflow in a different tab or split.
How do I count the words, lines, and characters in just my visual selection?
g<C-g> (visual mode)
In visual mode, pressing g reports detailed statistics for the selected text only — word count, character count, and byte count.
How do I fill quickfix from ripgrep output without leaving Vim?
:cexpr system('rg --vimgrep "TODO"')
When you already know you want an external search tool, :cexpr lets you import results directly into quickfix without opening a terminal buffer or shelling out
How do I recursively search files and load matches into quickfix in one command?
:vimgrep /\<TODO\>/gj **/*.lua | copen
When you want a project-wide TODO pass without leaving Vim, :vimgrep plus quickfix is a strong built-in workflow.
search #search #quickfix #command-line #project-navigation #ex-commands
How do I open the current file in a preview window at a specific pattern?
:pedit +/TODO %
When you need a second read-only view of the same file, opening more normal splits can disrupt your working layout.
How do I search a project without overwriting the global quickfix list?
:lvimgrep /pattern/gj **/*.js | lopen
When you already rely on the global quickfix list for compiler errors or another search, running :vimgrep can wipe that context.
What is the difference between \n and \r in Vim search patterns versus substitution replacements?
\n in search, \r in replacement
Vim uses \n and \r differently depending on whether they appear in a search pattern or a replacement string, and mixing them up is a common source of confusion.
How do I suspend Vim to the background shell and return to it later?
<C-z> / :stop
Pressing in Vim sends it to the background of your shell session — just like suspending any Unix process.
Why doesn't \n insert a newline in a :s replacement, and what should I use instead?
:%s/,/,\r/g
In Vim substitutions, \n and \r behave differently depending on whether they appear in the search pattern or the replacement string — a common gotcha that sur
How do I insert a newline in the replacement string of a :s substitution?
:s/,/,\r/g
In Vim's :substitute command, \r in the replacement string inserts a literal newline — it splits the line at that point.
What is the difference between \n and \r in Vim substitution patterns and replacements?
:s/\n/ /
One of the most confusing asymmetries in Vim's substitution syntax: \n and \r mean different things depending on whether they appear in the pattern or the repla
How do I tune Vim diff mode for more readable side-by-side hunks?
:set diffopt+=vertical,algorithm:patience,indent-heuristic
Default diff behavior can look noisy on refactors where blocks move or indentation shifts.
How do I edit another file without changing the alternate-file (#) reference?
:keepalt edit path/to/file\<CR>
Experienced Vim workflows often depend on the alternate file (#) for fast toggling with , quick diffs, or two-file review loops.
How do I make Vim's command-line tab completion case-insensitive for file and buffer names?
:set wildignorecase
:set wildignorecase makes Vim's command-line tab completion treat uppercase and lowercase letters as equivalent when completing file names, buffer names, and ot